A Vernon Jubilee Hospital nurse has provided an inside view of the mental and physical stress health care workers face amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The nurse—whose name is being withheld for employment purposes—described concerns he has for his family and his fellow hospital staff. His son has asthma, making him more vulnerable to the novel coronavirus. For this reason, he fears stepping into his own home after spending his day at the hospital.
“I had to explain to my kids that daddy won’t be home for a while. The level of exposure that I face, and all of my colleagues at the hospital face, is just too much of a risk to be bringing it home to my son with his asthma,” he said.
“I will be at the hospital, sleeping in my car, sleeping wherever I can between my shifts.”
Having served with the British Army in Iraq, it’s not the first time he’s worked on dangerous frontlines.
“I know what it’s like to fear. I know what it feels like to be curled up in a fetal position during a rocket attack with just luck on your side, but it is nothing like the fear I feel now.”
The VJH nurse implores people to help health-care workers and the general public in the best way they can: stay inside as much as possible, and keep your distance.
“What I need your help with is stop your kids going to the park,” he pleaded. “Stop them from hanging out with each other, stop them from coming over and gaming.”
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